Clinical Pearls in Women s Health Minnesota ACP 2013 WOMEN S HEALTH CLINIC Stephanie Faubion Director, Women s Health Clinic
No Financial Disclosures
Learning objectives Be able to counsel patients on bioidentical vs compounded hormone therapy Appreciate future cardiovascular risk associated with hypertension in pregnancy Understand options available for management of vasomotor symptoms Understand risks and limitations of screening average risk women for ovarian cancer Manage women with vulvovaginal atrophy appropriately
Case 1 A 48-year-old woman, gravida 3, para 3 LMP 9 months ago moderate hot flashes and night sweats vaginal dryness. heard about bioidentical hormone therapy consulted another practitioner who performed salivary hormone levels and suggested individualized custom-compounded bioidentical hormone therapy She seeks your advice regarding bioidentical hormone therapy
Question Which one of the following statements would you include in your advice to her? A. Custom compounded bioidentical HT has fewer risks than commercially available HT B. Salivary hormone level testing will provide useful guidance C. There are multiple options for FDA-approved bioidentical HT D. Custom-compounded bioidentical HT products are submitted to the same safety standards as commercially available HT products E. There is no role for the use of compounded bioidentical HT
Answer C. There are multiple options for FDA-approved bioidentical hormone therapy
Bioidentical vs compounded hormone therapy Bioidentical hormone therapy versus Compounded hormone therapy
FDA-approved bioidentical hormone therapy Multiple options for FDA-approved bioidentical HT that can be delivered via oral, transdermal, vaginal routes Chart of HT options available in US and Canada on North American Menopause Society (NAMS) website www.menopause.org
Compounded hormone therapy Not regulated by FDA Batch-to-batch variability Purity Labeling Safety and efficacy Are they ever useful?
The naked truth about bioidentical hormones
MORE Magazine October, 2013 More conducted a study sending 12 compounding pharmacies the same prescription Results: Estradiol 96-260% Progesterone 60-80% THE HORMONE HOAX THOUSANDS FALL FOR None would have met FDA standards (90-110%)
Salivary (and blood) hormone testing Levels variable (by the hour, from day to day) No well-established reference ranges No evidence that monitoring improves safety Levels don t necessarily correlate with symptoms Current practice is to let symptoms rather than levels guide therapy
Clinical Pearl For most women who are acceptable candidates for hormone therapy, a commercially available, FDA-approved, bioidentical option is appropriate, with therapy tailored to symptom relief rather than to hormone levels
Case 2 A 36-year-old woman presents for routine care. She reports no current concerns. Gravida 4, para 3 with hx of preeclampsia during her last two pregnancies No personal history of hyperlipidemia, DM or tobacco use. Exercises by jogging 2x per week. No family history of premature coronary artery disease Examination: overweight (BMI 27); BP 126/80. Heart, lung, abdominal and neurological examinations are normal
Question Given her history, there is an increased risk for all of the following except which one? A. Stroke B. Cancer C. Cardiovascular disease D. Future cardiovascular disease in her children E. Venous thromboembolism
Answer B. Cancer
Hypertension in pregnancy A female-specific risk factor for future cardiovascular disease (2-3 fold increased riskcompared with 2-4 fold increased risk with tobacco use) Higher risk associated with early onset (< 34 weeks) more severe preeclampsia recurrent disease (in multiple pregnancies)
Hypertension in pregnancy It is unclear if underlying risk factors predispose to both placental disease and future vascular disease Or If damage to the vascular endothelium in the setting of preeclampsia establishes the framework for future vascular disease
Women with preeclampsia Have an increased risk of Diabetes Hypertension Ischemic heart disease Peripheral vascular disease Venous thromboembolism Stroke Offspring who may themselves be at increased risk of future cardiovascular disease
Women with preeclampsia Have no increased risk of cancer May benefit from regular, long-term follow up and vigilant attention to cardiovascular risk factor modification
Clinical Pearl Pregnancy is a window to future cardiovascular disease risk in women. An obstetrical history is an important female-specific addition to cardiovascular risk assessment
Case 3 A 54 year old gravida 3, para 3 with LMP 2 years ago 2 years of bothersome hot flashes and night sweats multiple times per day and waking her frequently at night. Feels unrefreshed upon awakening in the morning and has difficulty functioning at work. Also has vaginal dryness history of hypothyroidism treated with levothyroxine exercises regularly and does not smoke PE unremarkable negative cervical cancer screening and mammography within the last year
Question What would you recommend as the most appropriate next step in the management of her menopausal symptoms? A. Soy supplement B. Trial of acupuncture C. Vaginal estrogen cream twice weekly D. Systemic hormone therapy E. Venlafaxine
Answer D. Systemic hormone therapy
Treatment of vasomotor symptoms Non-hormonal options Soy-derived isoflavones May have modest effect Generally safe Acupuncture Mixed results, some studies reveal modest effect Safe in the hands of a trained provider
Treatment of vasomotor symptoms Non-hormonal options Others stress management techniques (meditation, yoga, qigong, tai chi, biofeedback, massage) maintaining healthy weight and regular exercise paced-respirations staying cool; avoidance of alcohol, tobacco, hot food/beverages, and caffeine; dressing in layers
Treatment of vasomotor symptoms Non-hormonal prescription treatments Useful in women who cannot or prefer not to take HT SSRI/SNRI paroxetine (Paxil/Brisdelle) first nonhormonal FDA approved drug for VMS-6/28/13 venlafaxine (Effexor) escitalopram (Lexapro) Gabapentin Sleeping medications
Treatment of vasomotor symptoms Hormonal options Systemic hormone therapy Still the most effective treatment for moderately severe vasomotor symptoms Use a progestogen to protect the endometrium in women with a uterus Use the lowest possible dose for the shortest amount of time to control symptoms Individualize treatment, taking into account risks, benefits, and personal preferences
Treatment of vasomotor symptoms Hormonal options Vaginal estrogen therapy is useful for treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy, but does not treat vasomotor symptoms
Clinical Pearl Systemic hormone therapy remains the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms
Case 4 A 57 year-old woman, G1,P1 presents for her annual examination. She reports no current symptoms. She tells you of concerns she has about ovarian cancer as a good friend recently died of the disease. She requests screening for ovarian cancer. no family history of breast or ovarian cancers physical examination is unremarkable
Question All of the following are true regarding ovarian cancer screening except which one? A. The risks of ovarian ca screening outweigh the benefits in average risk women B. There is no clear mortality benefit to screening highrisk women with CA-125 and trans-vaginal US C. Screening with CA-125 and trans-vaginal US is not associated with significant harm D. Screening with CA-125 and trans-vaginal US does not reduce ovarian ca mortality in average risk women E. Most women with a positive screening test for ovarian ca will have a false-positive result
Answer C. Screening with CA-125 and trans-vaginal US is not associated with significant harm
Ovarian Cancer Screening Rare disease with lifetime risk of 1.4% in in in in in general population 5 th leading cause of cancer death in women Highest mortality rate of all gynecologic cancers Prevalence is low, positive predictive value of screening also low, so most women with positive screening test will not have the disease (false-positive screening test) No available screening test is proven effective and accurate for early detection
Ovarian Cancer Screening No mortality benefit to screening average-risk, asymptomatic women with CA-125 and transvaginal US (not recommended by USPSTF, ACOG or ACS) No data to suggest these tests reduce mortality in higher risk women though balance of risk and potential benefit less well established-uspstf ACOG and ACS may include TV US and CA-125 for high-risk individuals
Who is high risk? BRCA1 and 2 mutation carriers Lynch syndrome (hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer) Family history of ovarian cancer (consider genetic counseling to evaluate risk) 2 or more first- or second-degree relatives with ovarian ca or combination of breast and ovarian cancers Ashkenazi Jewish descent-a first-degree relative (or 2 second-degree relatives on same side) with breast or ovarian cancer
Potential harms associated with ovarian cancer screening PLCO trial 10% false positive rate in screening group 1/3 of women with false + had oophorectomy 20 surgeries to find 1 screen-detected ovarian cancer 21 major complications per 100 surgeries done for + screen Infection, blood loss, bowel injury, cardiovascular/pulmonary event PLCO Trial 2011 JAMA
Clinical Pearl Ovarian cancer screening with CA-125 and transvaginal ultrasound does not reduce ovarian cancer deaths in average risk, asymptomatic women and is associated with considerable harms
Case 5 A 56 year-old woman, G2P2 with LMP age 53, presents to your office with a two year history of progressive vaginal dryness and dyspareunia; hx of 3 UTIs in the last year. tried vaginal moisturizers and lubricants w/o relief mild hot flashes, improved with regular exercise hx hypertension treated with hydrochlorothiazide family hx of breast ca maternal aunt age 54
Question All of the following are true regarding the use of local vaginal ET except which one? A. Treatment with local vaginal ET should be limited to 3-5 years B. Local vaginal ET is at least as effective as systemic ET for management of VVA C. The use of a progestogen for endometrial protection is generally not needed when using low-dose local ET D. Treatment with local vaginal ET is associated with improved OAB sx and a reduced risk of recurrent UTI E. Vaginal ET is not contraindicated in patients with a FHx of breast cancer
Answer A. Treatment with local vaginal estrogen should be limited to 3-5 years of therapy
Vulvovaginal Atrophy Affects almost 50% of postmenopausal women and over 60% of breast cancer survivors Unlike vasomotor symptoms, VVA progresses without treatment Symptoms-vaginal dryness, irritation, itching, dyspareunia, reduced sexual responsiveness, urinary urgency, frequency, dysuria, recurrent UTI, urge incontinence Significant impact on QOL, sexual function, relationship with partner
Vulvovaginal Atrophy Loss of labial/vulvar fullness Pallor of urethral/vaginal epithelium Decreased vaginal moisture/fissures Pain with palpation
Atrophic change: Estrogen deficiency trumps age 53 yo woman not on ET, not sexually active 79 yo woman on ET 44
Vulvovaginal Atrophy-NAMS recommendations Local vaginal estrogen therapy is at least as effective as systemic therapy Cream, vaginal tablet, ring Progestogen not indicated for women using local low-dose estrogen Endometrial surveillance not recommended in asymptomatic women at low risk for endometrial hyperplasia Can be continued as long as symptoms remain
Replacing Vaginal Estrogen in Postmenopausal Women Increases pelvic blood flow, lubrication, elasticity Protects against clitoral fibrosis Improves coital satisfaction, genital tactile perception and sensation Reduces vaginal ph, risk of UTI
Vaginal Estrogens Available for Postmenopausal Use in the US Composition Name Dosing Notes Vaginal cream Estradiol Conjugated estrogens Estrace Premarin Initial 2-4 g/d for 1-2 wk Maintenance: 1 g/d (0.1 mg active ingredient/g) 0.5-1.0 g (0.625 mg active ingredient/g) 3x weekly Premarin is also indicated for dyspareunia Vaginal ring Estradiol Estradiol acetate Estring Device containing 2 mg releases 7.5 μg/d for 90 d Vaginal tablet Estradiol hemihydrate Vagifem Initial: 1 tablet/d for 2 wk Maintenance: 1 tablet twice/ wk (tablet 10.3 μg of estradiol hemihydrate equivalent to 10 μg of estradiol) The 10 mcg dose is the only available formulation of the drug available in the US 1. Goldstein I. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2010;19:425-432. 2. www.empr.com. 3. North American Menopause Society. Menopause. 2007;14:357-369.
Ospemifene: A newly approved (oral) SERM for VVA Novel SERM differentiated from other SERMS by its favorable effect on the vagina and antagonistic activity on endometrial and breast tissues Phase 3 clinical trial demonstrated it to be effective and well tolerated for symptoms of dyspareunia and dryness for up to 12 weeks Longer term safety data at 52 weeks of f/u revealed no clinically meaningful endometrial changes; no VTE; AE hot flashes up to 7.2% with 60 mg dose vs 2% with placebo
Treatment of VVA in breast cancer survivors Use of local vaginal ET is controversial Increase E2 levels reported in women with breast ca on aromatase inhibitors using E cream/vaginal tablet No studies have shown an increased risk of breast ca recurrence with the use of local vaginal ET in breast ca survivors Family history of breast cancer is not a contraindication to the use of local vaginal ET
Clinical Pearl Local vaginal ET is at least as effective as systemic ET for treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy and avoids many of the concerns associated with systemic estrogen use
Thank You!